My Workspace Feature on An Organised Life

There's something you will always find on my desk, and that's stationery by An Organised Life. The brand's clean, minimalist aesthetic fits perfectly with my workspace decor, while the functional designs help keep me on top of all my day-to-day organisational requirements. An Organised Life founder Beck Wadworth has recently returned to Auckland after living in Sydney for many years. Still dividing her time between the two cities, she recently interviewed me for the An Organised Life with... Workspace Features series. Visiting me at home to capture my workspace and living area, we chatted about how I got started and my biggest pinch me moments to date... along with all things stationery and organisation! 

Styling by Michelle Halford - TDC / Photography by Kirsty Dawn 

Visit anorganisedlife.com to read the interview. You'll also find lots more inspiring workspace features along with the gorgeous 2019 Collection. This includes the recently launched Monogram Your Stationery, which you may have seen on my Instagram this week. Such a beautiful new feature! 

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Made of Tomorrow | AW 2018 Collection Launch

Creating quality homeware and objects designed with the essence of tomorrow’s trends is the driving force behind NZ brand Made of Tomorrow. The creative duo share a background in graphic and homeware design and take a hands-on approach to the business, with involvement in every stage from concept to completion and design to distribution. This ensures the resulting products have a connection to the creators, while also being of the highest quality. As a big fan of their popular FOLD range and minimalist stationery, I've really enjoyed experiencing their pieces at home, and I'm excited to share their newest collection for Autumn/Winter 2018.

FOLD Bedside Table and Spike Candle Holder 

FOLD Ledge 450 and Spike Candle Holder 

This collection sees the continuation of Made of Tomorrow's earthy muted palette, with the introduction of some bolder, Autumn hues. The new Terracotta and Rivergum green colours are welcome additions to the popular FOLD range, while a darker adaptation of the latter colour can be seen in the paper goods range, tying the collection together. Another key colour is pale grey, which brings a softness and warmth to the overall palette, while providing a touch of elegance.

The new colours in the FOLD range, Terracotta, Rivergum Green and Pale Grey and the FOLD Mirror in brass and tinted glass 

FOLD Mag Rack 

FOLD Loop Hook

FOLD Hook Mirror and Tray

FOLD Tray and Perpetual Planners

As always, there is a strong focus on practicality throughout the collection. Not only do the pieces look stylish, each one has been designed to have a purpose, and that gets a big tick from me!

To shop the new collection online, visit Made of Tomorrow. 

Images courtesy of Made of Tomorrow 

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My Christmas Gift Guides for BLOC

For today's post I've teamed up with BLOC to curate two Christmas Gift Guides, one For Her and one For Him. Set with the task of selecting products from each of the BLOC collaborators; BoConcept, Città, Father Rabbit, Tim Webber Design and Alex and Corban Home, I felt right at home amongst these beautiful brands! BLOC has long been a favourite shopping destination because of its focus on great design and ease of shopping under the one roof. There's a real sense of community for those who appreciate design in all its forms, and the BLOC Cafe provides a great meeting place for lunch, or a coffee on the run. When it comes to Christmas gifting, I can't think of a better place to get it all sorted... in a  beautiful space away from the crowded malls! Here are my two gift guides showcasing a small taste of what's on offer. 

FOR HER 

Father Rabbit Linen Duvet Cover and Linen Kisses Pillow Cases, Linda Tahija U Necklace - fatherrabbit.com

Linear Grid Side Table, Compagnie de Provence Hand Balm - cittadesign.com

Candle Holder & Icelandic Sheepskin - boconcept.com

Kimberley Ring Bowl & Cluse La Bohème Gold Mesh Watch - alexandcorban.co.nz

Good Thing Clear & Frosted Vases designed by Sam Anderson - timwebberdesign.com

FOR HIM

Jet Chair by Tim Webber, Menu Carrie Lamp by Norm Architects - timwebberdesign.com

Linear Two-Tier Side Table, Vitra L'Oiseau Bird by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec - cittadesign.com

Status Anxiety The Void Bag, Made of Tomorrow 2018 Daily Planner - alexandcorban.co.nz

Vifa Helsinki Wireless Speaker, Cut Tealight Holder - boconcept.com

Bellroy Coinfold Wallet, Sent of Home Mr Rosado Candle - fatherrabbit.com

Christmas Decorations - cittadesign.com

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

This is a sponsored post. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Block Table by Normann Copenhagen

Some of you will have seen on Instagram that we recently welcomed the Block Table by Normann Copenhagen into our home. Designed by Simon Legald, this wonderfully versatile piece of furniture has so many uses as both a side table and for storing or displaying items. Easily moved around, it looks beautiful beside both our bed and sofa, but I suspect it may end up in my office very soon as it looks right at home there. It would also make a great drinks trolley don't you think? Choosing from the gorgeous range of colours wasn't easy but the light grey is perfect. I will share some more of the Block Table around our home in due course, but for today's post I thought I'd use it to style a few new things and some great Christmas gift ideas!

As you can see I can't get enough of the watercolour artworks by Mini Grandi Artist. I am so happy to have added the stunning Storm at the Beach art print to my collection. The lovely white Ball Vase and cute little Christmas Trees are from Swedish concept store Cooee. The Ball Vases come in a range of pretty, muted colours in different sizes and look amazing grouped together. 

A new discovery, Bandhu is a a beautiful jewellery brand from the Netherlands. Their simple, minimalist aesthetic fits my style perfectly. The unique, one of kind pieces are made from various kinds of reused leather, as seen below with the 'White Lizard' Parallel Bracelet and Tiny Bar Necklace and the 'Snake' Union Bracelet. Taken from the old Sanskrit language, Bandhu means friendship, friend, and guardian. Arriving beautifully packaged, this jewellery is made to be gifted!



In other jewellery news, An Organised Life have launched a new Limited Edition Time Piece made by Christian Paul. Known for their stylish, minimal and monochrome aesthetic, the watch is the perfect addition to the brand's beautiful product range. It follows on from the launch of their Limited Edition 2016 Diary, which comes in a custom black gift box with the exclusive 'An Organised Life Pen', and the new Leather Look Notebook, which I was lucky to have personally monogrammed with my initials. 

Boutique candle company Lumira have launched not one but three new collections just in time for Christmas. The first is Callezione Bianca. Inspired by American minimalist Ellsworth Kelly, Lumira’s Collezione Bianca is a tribute to the beauty, simplicity and purity of Kelly’s relief works, combined with an exploration in premium, exotic fragrances to enhance our daily rituals with a sense of style and ceremony. A private candle collection of three fragrances, Collezione Bianca have been carefully created with the purpose that each individual fragrance can be burnt at a specific time of the day; La Primavera evokes a sense of daylight with a spirited and youthful nature, whilst the warmer scents of Sirocco evoke memories of summer days and finally Darsana delivers sensual and nocturnal notes. The result of 12 months development, these incredible candles deliver a truly beautiful, luxury product that is handcrafted and finished at every level – from hand pouring to the final touches on the packaging. Pure perfection, you have to see and smell them for yourself! Stay tuned for more on the new collections, including something exciting in the New Year!

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

This post was created in sponsorship with Normann Copenhagen and in collaboration with Bandhu, An Organised Life and Lumira. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Christmas Gift Guide Part Two | FOR HIM

I finally made a start on my Christmas shopping, but as always I get a little stumped when it comes to my other half. I'm sure many of you feel the same, and not just when it comes to your partner, but also male family members and friends. Here's a roundup of my current online picks for the hard-to-buy-for man. 

by Lassen Kubus Small Black Bowl from Urban Couture

aHead Wireless Headphones in Black from Paper Plane

Menu Norm Tumbler Alarm Clock from Tim Webber Design

Dark Blackness A3 Poster from By Garmi

Stelton Pure Black Knife Series from Simon James Concept Store

Wine Breather Deluxe in Gold by Menu from Simon James Concept Store

Grown Alchemist Handwash - Sweet Orange, Cedarwood and Sage from Superette 

The Card Wallet (optional embossed initials) by Don't Tell New York

The Overnighter by Don't Tell New York

Menu Spoonless Container in Carbon from LET LIV

Now or Never Notebook by Blacklist Studio from Mildred & Co

Moscot Lemtosh Sunglasses from Simon James Concept Store

Zakkia Vinter Concrete Soy Candle from LET LIV

Black Canvas & Leather Camera Strap by Paper Plane

I love Ugly Archibald Watch from Tim Webber Design 

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Neutral Instinct | Marjolein Delhaas 2016 Planners

If you're anything like me, choosing a diary for the new year is an important task. Last year I was lucky to get my hands on the minimalist planner by Marjolein Delhaas from Neutral Instinct which you may remember from this post. Designed and made in the Netherlands the diary has become instantly recognisable due to its simple yet striking typographic design. On my wishlist again for 2016, I was excited to see that in addition to the Classic and Basic Planners Marjolein Delhaas has introduced a new product, the Tear Off Block Planner. Neutral Instinct kindly sent me the set to test out and I can safely now say I'm all set for the new year ahead! 

The Basic Planner now comes with a clear book cover (not shown here) offering both protection and an extra place to store small cards, coupons or notes. One of my favourite original features of the dairy is the open spine binding, a technique that allows the diary to fall open flat, making it super easy to use. 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC

Pop over to Neutral Instinct to shop the range. You'll be seeing more from this beautiful online store on the blog early next week with a new launch and reader offer so keep an eye out! 

This post was created in collaboration with Neutral Instinct

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Neutral Instinct | 2015 Planner

A recent discovery, Neutral Instinct is an Australian online store with an impressive selection of beautiful homewares. Owner Amanda Tiernan is a self-confessed lover of neutral colours who sees beauty in simple, minimalist, modern products and interiors. She says Neutral Instinct is all about choosing homewares and accessories that replicate this beauty. Of course Scandinavian design which epitomises simplicity, minimalism and functionality fits the bill perfectly, so you will find plenty of options such as Menu, by Lassen and Design House Stockholm, to name just a few. 

The Weekly Planner/Notebook by Marjolein Delhaas is a product I've been admiring for some time, especially when it surfaces more frequently around the Christmas/New Year period. Designed and made in the Netherlands, its minimalist typographic design is one that is hard to forget. I was very excited to hear that Neutral Instinct has brought the 2015 edition to our shores, and even more excited to receive one in the post! How beautiful is the gift wrapping?

Designed for use as a personal diary or notebook, the planner is perfect for those like me, who like making daily to-do lists. Also available in copper, I love how my black one looks on my desk, and its compact size means it will also fit easily into my handbag. 

Neutral Instinct have just announced that they are now shipping to NZ so pop over here to browse through their amazing range of homewares and gifts. They are also offering free shipping within Australia and NZ for any single Weekly Planner/Notebook purchase. Perfect timing to treat someone you love (or yourself) for Christmas!  

Styling and Photography by Michelle Halford for T.D.C

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The Blog Turns Two | Giveaway!

Two years ago today I fired up Blogger and wrote my very first post. Little did I know of the amazing journey ahead of me. At the time I had nothing to lose (except sleep!) but what I have gained is beyond anything I could've imagined. Having literally taken on a life of its own, the blog has brought me so much joy and I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way. I'm also thankful for all of you who stop by, whether it's every day or every now and then, and all of my lovely sponsors. I've met so many amazing people along the way and I'm continually inspired by the talented people who I'm surrounded by on the web and social media. 

The past year has been a big one with the completion of our home build and the launch of TDC Style. The blog has just undergone its second facelift, and while its not quite completed, I'm loving the new, understated look. A bit like moving into our new house, I'm happy to live with it for a while as is, before making the finishing touches. 

I couldn't have reached this milestone without your support, so to show you my appreciation I've put together a lovely giveaway for you today. In keeping with The Design Chaser's age, there are two gift packs to be won, thanks to two of my wonderful sponsors LET LIV and For Keeps. 

Being that my office is my happy place, where most of the magic happens, I thought it fitting to include a few lovely office-inspired items that I love. I've been singing the praises of Le Sac En Papier bag from For Keeps for a while, and for good reason. The most stylish paper bag you will ever own, it has so many uses, not just in the office but any room of the home. Mine has certainly done the rounds. While it was very handy in my son's room for storing toys (shown here) it's currently residing in my office. Marlow is okay with this because he gets to play with all the balloons! 

The iconic Design Letters Cups by Arne Jacobsen are from LET LIV. A must-have for fellow coffee-lovers, although certainly not limited to use as a cup, they make a gorgeous vase. You can also use them to store pens, toothbrushes, snacks, or any other little items around the home. The lucky winners will get to choose the letter. Finally, because I love stationery and believe you can never have enough, the gift packs also include an Organised Life Notebook Set from LET LIV. With three individually labelled notebooks in different designs, what better way to add a little order to your office and life?

To enter, simply email me at enter@thedesignchaser.com with HAPPY BIRTHDAY TDC in the subject line. Please also let me know your full name. Entries close on Thursday, 17th April at midday (NZ time) and the two winners will be chosen by random.org and contacted via email to arrange shipping. The winners will also be announced on the blog and TDC Facebook page. 

Please note that this competition is open to New Zealand and Australian residents, due to the shipping terms of the sponsors. It's really important to me to be able to extend my thanks to all of my international readers, so please look out for a worldwide giveaway on the blog soon! 

Thank you for joining me in the celebrations. Best of luck!!  

Update: this competition has now closed, and the winners have been announced. Huge thanks to everyone who entered and to LET LIV and For Keeps for their generosity. 

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